Toy bridge construction



y 1954 D. P. CHRISTIE TOY BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 8, 1951 Fig, I.

4 w 0 m 1 .IT A .$N n mam 8 l P w... QM w a M MD I w Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,677,914 TOY BRIDGE GONSTRUCTION Douglas P. Christie, Townsend, Mont. Application February 8, 1951, Serial No. 209,992

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in toys and more particularly to an apparatus which can be employed for use in connection with model railroad and automobile constructions.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved toy construction apparatus which embodies a novel bridge construction that is comprised of a plurality of elements which can be either removably interconnected or separated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved bridge construction or toy apparatus wherein the railings of the toy bridge are comprised of central portions and wing portions hingedly connected thereto whereby the entire railing can be folded for packaging.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the novel construction of the toy bridge whereby the abutment means of the toy bridge can be removably interconnected with the platform of the bridge to provide a sturdy bridge construction.

Still other objects of the present invention are to provide such means that can be employed in association with the toy bridge as to result in a model layout suitable for use in connection with model railroad layouts et cetera.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the toy bridge which forms an important feature of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the toy bridge showing the bridge in assembled form; and

Figure 3 is a top plan view of one of the railings forming a part of the toy bridge and showing the railing in folded form.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral l designates generally the toy bridge construction.

The toy bridge construction is shown in Figures 1 and 2, and comprises a platform means M, a railing means 16 and an abutment means 18.

The platform means 14 is comprised of a flat rectangular member 80 formed with notched corners 82, 84, 86 and 88. Intermediate side portions are formed with apertures 90 and 92 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The abutment means 18 is comprised of flat elongated central portions 94 having stakes 98 secured to their outer surfaces for engagement with the ground. Each of the central portions 94 is formed with a pair of wing portions 98 extending angularly therefror- The wing portions 98 have their upper ends 596 lying in a plane higher than the upper edge IE2 of the central portions 9d.

The railing means it is comprised of a plurality of posts 164 joined by longitudinally extending struts I66. Central intermediate portions of the struts E86 are joined by vertically extending posts lot which are adapted to be inserted in the openings 9t and 92.

The railing means iii is portions Hi2 and H2 nected to the central also comprised of Wing which are hingedly conportions see by means of the hinges H2. Each of the Wing portions Hi3 and H2 is comprised of a terminal post H t and a pair of struts iii; interconnected with the struts I98 by means of the hinges H2.

The entire bridge construction it can be assembled by first securing the abutment means 18 to the platform means l t. The transverse ends 83 and 35 of the platform member 86 are positioned on the upper edges t l and 1192 of the abutment means it. The wing plates 98 and its have their inner end portions 99 and Hit received in the notches at the corners of the member 86 whereby the fiat upper surface of the member 36 lies in the same plane as the upper edges 98 and Hit) of the wing portions of the abutment means 18.

The railing means is then interlocked with the platform member 88 by inserting the central posts I68 in the openings 9e and $2, the bottom ends of the posts I M being disposed on the upper surface of the platform member 89. The lower ends or the end posts lid, designated by the numeral H5 are secured to or abut the outer faces of the abutment wings, whereby the angu-- lar adjustment of the fence wing can be determined.

Figure 3 shows the railing means It in its collapsed position with the wing portions H6 and i 12 folded on the back side of the central portion I09 for packaging purposes.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that a toy construction apparatus has been provided which will accomplish all of the objects hereinabove set forth.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A. toy bridge comprising a horizontal fiat platform and vertical abutments disposed below the ends of said platform and interlocked therewith the ends of said central portion and. extending to provide retaining walls for embankments adbeyond said platform and engaging the abutment jacent and under the bridge, said abutments each wing portions to provide substantial alignment consisting of a central rectangular flat member therewith. and rectangular flat wing portions integral 5 therewith and extending angularly away there- References Cited 1n the me of thls Patent from, said wing portions being of a greater height UNITED STATES PATENTS than said central member, the ends of said platform being supported on said central portion and Number Name Date 249,448 Barnes Nov. 15, 1881 maintained in alignment therewith by said wing 10 1 852,970 Luten May 7, 1907 p01 trons, the corners of said platform being pro- 999,466 Richter Aug. 1, 1911 vided with matching angular notches receiving 1 1,367,937 Belz Feb. 8, 1921 the abutting edges of said wing portions, apei- 1,526,359 Mlchie Feb. 17, 1925 tures in said platform receiving post of railings, 2 005 Brachear Nov 7 1939 said railings comprising central portions mount- 15 2507354 Spunberg 1950 ed along substantially the entire length of said 2558591 Stank June 26, 1951 platform and wing portions hingedly secured to 

